acertifieduser | ○ 04: Maybe they once locked eyes.

"Yyyyeah. I um...come from one of those worlds where a lot of crazy people run around in costumes fighting each other. If I was about three times the bitch I'd actually be a second generation supervillain. Kind of weird to think about.

She took the glass and propped it between her narrow hands. "George...I like him. I'm not sure if I wouldn't seriously weird him out long term. He's very openminded for a cop though.

"I don't know. I'm not rushing into anything whatever I do. I don't want to mess anything up, or get so caught up I forget why I'm here."

She thought about graduation, about going back, still cradling her glass. "You know what the problem with becoming a superhero is? No goddamn paycheck."

Eddie laughed at her explanation of her world and costumes. Then he leaned in a little to create an instant level of intimacy as the smile returned to his lips. When he spoke, his voice was entirely free from mocking and, if anything, insinuating a sexual curiosity. "Did you wear a costume too?"

He stays in that space for the moment, holding his wine comfortably and still smiling at her, even as the topic shifts to George again. "I think it's a good idea to keep your eye on the prize, so to speak. You don't want to get caught up in something here and let it interfere with your redemption, graduation, or getting home. You deserve better than that. If you decide to go for anything here, either take it slow or make it fun and make sure you both know what you're getting into."

At the last, he let out a small chuckle. "Maybe you're just not doing it right. You could get paid for public appearances and advertising if you really wanted to. If you were a known hero."

She blushed slightly and ducked her head. "Yeah, I um...do." She fished in her purse and came up with a slightly tilted Polaroid of a bunch of costumed teens. On one edge was Wanda, swathed in a scarlet leather overcoat and a matching unitard with a bodice top. Giant stompy boots; gauntlets in black, and a scowl that looked foreign on her face.

"That and I really...I want to make sure I have a handle on my powers before I get too close to anyone. I don't want to have our first fight end in poltergeist activity and bruises."

Wanda frowned a little. "Some of us do work for the government...."

Eddie ensured that his fingers grazed her head as he took the photo from her. By now, it would be a rather obvious gesture, but it was still performed with an ease he could never muster without the magic of NZT. His mind took in every detail of the picture as a grin broke out on his face again. "You look amazing."

Then he was offering it back to her in such a way that she could easily return the hand grazing gesture or avoid it, whichever she preferred. His eyes were back on hers, listening intently. Eddie's smile faltered only the smallest hint when she spoke about her abilities, but it quickly recovered and spread wider even. "That sounds intense. How do you think you'll be able to get control of it? Is it something that happens any time you're.. passionate? Or only when you're angry?"

Ah, the insinuations. Then he gave a shrug. "I'm not surprised. The government likes to have their hands in a little bit of everything in order to provide existing knowledge and a basis for combat in any field if the public gets concerned or other countries get anxious."

The surprise showed in her eyes, and a little shock went through her that made it clear to the observant that she plain was not used to being touched. At all. Not that she minded, but it certainly muddied the waters about whether this date was really "practice" or not.

(Did she mind about that? She was still deciding.)

She did touch his fingers very delicately as she took the photo. "Thanks. Putting on a costume...there's almost a ritual aspect to it, like putting on a uniform or vestments. You become someone else, sort of, but that person is also more you than your street persona."

A thoughtful glance at the sky; she sipped her wine absently. "Meditation, intense concentration, ritual. I get better all the time. Pretty soon I'll be able to do a lot more than just hexing people."

She giggled a little. "It's just negative emotions. When I'm angry, when I'm scared..." normally she had to make a gesture as well, but the thing was that those gestures were often unconscious when she got upset enough. "The biggest thing I ever did, I took all my passions, focused them and sort of threw the energy out there at my target."

She stroked her chin. "It's part of why I debate being part of anything with a government stamp. I mean, sometimes you're lucky and you get superiors with a grasp of the greater good, like Xavier. But finding them...that's the trick, especially if you're locked into a contract."

Eddie smiled a hint more at her touch, glad that she was following his lead. This was still a practice date in his mind, but it also meant that he was willing to take this 'practice' as far as she wanted to, to a point. There was a place where he would cut them off if only to leave her wanting more. Then again, with someone like this girl, it might be better to take it while he could get it. If he could get it.

When she spoke, he listened intently, despite his mind's ulterior motives.

"I know what you mean. I've never worn a costume like that, but I could tell the difference even from when I stopped wearing t-shirts and jeans and started wearing suits more often. It's a whole different personality." Of course, there was more to it than just some new clothes, but there was a difference there or else he would have still been wearing the same ensemble he used to. He flashed another smile about getting better. "I'm sure you'll continue to get better. Determination and motivation are the two most important parts of learning or doing anything."

"What happened to the poor bastard you targeted all your passions at? If I can ask?" There was an undertone of whining behind his words, a feigned sort of humility that made him sound even more interested.

Eddie took a sip of his wine and shook his head. "I think it's good you're not with the government. You're right about finding a good leader and having a contract, but it's more than that. All those moves are so political and you would end up as some kind of pawn just by being different than the traditional middle-aged caucasian male. They can talk about equal opportunity all they want, but someone like you would be too powerful for them to promote to the ranks you would be capable of."

"The Tie. There's something about the tie especially. Like it's a Talisman of Credibility or something." She tilted her head at him. "Yeah. I got motivation, and I'm totally stubborn. Usually in the good way."

She laughed. "No, no, I've never gone full steam at a person. This was at a genuine doomsday machine. I can glitch machines usually, but this one was hardened. So I went full out. It feels like pushing a mountain with your frontal lobe.

"Politics. I don't know. Maybe becoming a contractor would be a better idea. Though I'd have to be super picky about who I worked for.

"So...what do you do?"

"A 'Talisman of Credibility?' I like that. Maybe I'll wear a tie the next time I decide to convince you of something." He flashed a grin and then laughed about her stubbornness. "That's good. It's better than being a pushover."

He nodded about the idea of the doomsday machine and took a moment to consider the imagery she had provided, making a face that suggested he wasn't fond of that kind of pressure. Eddie shook his head and gave her an admiring smile. "That's admirable. It's good that you can really push yourself like that when you need to."

"You could always work freelance and just get paid for doing sponsorships, if you wanted." He shrugged and then readjusted his stance, planting a hand near her to lean toward her in a subtle gesture of intimacy. "I was a writer for awhile.. That's what I went to school for. When I was depressed and I wasn't doing shit with my life, I ran into an old friend and he turned things around. I realized I could do a hell of a lot more than what I was doing, so I started working harder. I got into trading, then business. Shortly before I got here, I helped to broker one of the largest mergers in America's history."

"You don't have to wear a tie with me unless you want to, seriously. All you need to do is have a persuasive argument and maybe some chocolate. Not that I'm milking the situation or anything..." She winked.

"It was do or die. I...have never been in a situation that morally black and white before. Either we helped save the world or it didn't get saved. I like the world. It's where I keep my stuff."

She tilted her head and leaned a bit toward him, hiding only a little behind another sip of wine. She was nursing the stuff carefully. "That's intense. How do you destress after something that huge? And do you still write on the side?"

"Maybe I'll try chocolate and a tie. Then how could you possibly resist me?" He smiled. Eddie was mostly kidding, but there was a sexual insinuation buried into half of the things he said with her at this point.

He laughed at her remark about liking the world. "Yeah, the world's not so bad when you live there for awhile."

"I didn't need to. Even though it was long hours and I was expected to be on call every minute of every day, I loved it. I like keeping busy and getting things done and that was all of the above. It helped that my boss's daughter was.. engaging. She was a nice distraction from the business stiffs. We talked politics and philosophy-- I enjoy discussions like this, like the one we're having. It's like a break for me even in the middle of everything. A beautiful woman can do that." Eddie couldn't help but remember the feelings he had for Ginny. Still, he was trying hard not to compare her to Wanda, or for Wanda to start comparing herself to Ginny. Wanda was here now and Ginny wasn't; that was what mattered.

Eddie tilted just a hint farther. It was the perfect distance to push forward for a kiss if he wanted, but to have an intimate conversation if not. He was trying not to push Wanda, but he wanted the girl to be ready and able to handle dating too. That was what she had asked for, after all.

A soft laugh. "I think you'd do OK either way. But that makes me want to find you a truly awesome novelty tie somewhere in Port." She blushed, eyes lowered. SHY was practically tattooed on her forehead, and though she ate the insinuations up with a spoon she didn't quite know what to do about them!

"Wow. I mean, it's creation of another sort, building businesses and business relationships like that. It's the sort of world Father would know more of than I, though mostly he is Science and Politics Guy.

"Well," she smiled shyly. "Hit me up for more conversation whenever you want." She gazed into his eyes a moment, then looked away awkwardly. She didn't seem to know what to do suddenly. But she didn't move away either.

"It sounds like you've done some pretty amazing stuff. I'm...gearing up to do amazing stuff, mostly. They start us young where I am from but most of my career is ahead of me."

"Make it a skinny novelty tie and I'll wear it for our next date," he practically purred, neither encourage or discouraged by her shyness. This was supposed to be practice and the best way he could think to do that was to treat her the same he would any other woman.

"Do you get along with your dad?" It was sincerely a genuine, random, and innocuous question that seemed to continue the general line of conversation.

Eddie remained where he was, physically, perched at an intimate distance without pushing forward. He was hoping she would get comfortable with it and either pursue more herself or, at the very least, ease into less shyness. He didn't feel the need to comment about having more conversations when he had practically already asked her out again.

"Hey, most of my amazing stuff didn't happen until I was way older. Take your time and learn as much as you can, because that's what's going to help you. Also? That whole 'doing what you love' philosophy people have is bullshit. I mean, it's good, sure, but they don't tell you that you end up broke and miserable most of the time. If you really want to enjoy your life, you need to make some money first and some contacts that can help you if you hit a rough patch." He paused as he took her into consideration. "You have a special opportunity with your abilities. You might actually have a shot at getting paid to do what you love if you really love that, but just get used to the idea of loving it less the more you get paid."

Another gentle laugh and she looked down. It was funny. She had spent a lot of time around boys and had never gotten over the sort of shyness she felt now. But then again, perhaps that was because they were boys and the people who made her feel shy were invariably men. (Once or twice women, but mostly men.) "Lemme see what I can come up with. Maybe I can get Drake to conjure you an aquarium one where the fish actually swim around. Or something."

She lifted her chin slightly at the question, brow furrowing thoughtfully. "It's mixed, like everything else in life. He's distant, and I don't agree with his politics or how he's acted on them in the past. But he's really admirable in a lot of ways too."

A slow nod as she listened to him. He was laying it out frankly and she appreciated it. She was only idealistic in some ways. "Chances are I'll study something involving chaos theory, because getting a science background to go with the magical and psychic one seems like a good definition of "well rounded". After that...I don't know, I could do all sorts of things. Including becoming a Wall Street consultant." Screw that, by that point she figured she could manipulate the stock market directly.

"Or, seriously, maybe I'll hit Monte Carlo and make myself rich. Then I can do the hero thing full time."

Edited 2011-07-16 18:45 (UTC)

"I'm sure it will be great," he offered lightly, not really giving more thought to it. Eddie couldn't really imagine a tie that moved the way she was describing, outside of what glimpses he'd caught of the idea in some films. He still wasn't sure how he felt about all that magic stuff, though, so he was trying not to have to bite his tongue.

"A lot of bad people are admirable. I know that seems contradictory to most people, but it's true. Everyone that succeeded at being bad or evil for any length of time with any sense of power had to get there for a reason, whether it was Hitler, your dad, or the CEO of Enron. They're usually charming, strong people that have a gift for talking to others.. among other things. There's nothing wrong with admiring that as long as you still appreciate how they are." He paused, then added: "I'm not saying your dad is one of those guys, because I don't know. He sounds like he might be a little like that, though, so just make sure you're careful and really think about how he is versus who you want to be, you know?"

Of course, Eddie himself was closer to that person now than he had ever been in his life, gladly willing to sacrifice people when it was necessary to his gain of power. Until then, he liked keeping people on his good side, though, and that meant not revealing those pieces of himself.

"That sounds good. There's a lot of scholarships available for women in science, too, because it's pretty rare. I'm sure you would have an easier time than most people. With the gambling thing, though, just be careful that people will still respect you. It's not worth making your money fast and easy if that's what people are going to remember about you."

"Yeah, Father he's...everything a mutant should be and nothing a mutant should be all rolled into one." She loved him, but hated his politics and what he had done for them. "I don't have any illusions about him, but everyone who knows him is ambivalent about him." She had no illusions about him that she knew about, anyway.

She frowned softly, looking skyward, and took another sip of wine. "Easy or tough, I'll rise to it. I always do." For a moment there was a flash of cold pride in her eyes. There was more to Wanda than the innocent girl; the steel showed, and then she glanced away shyly and it disappeared again.

"No, no. Vegas would be seed money only. That and help funding my second job, which probably won't pay."

"Don't you turn out like him. Take everything you like about him and nothing that you don't and mold yourself into that person that you want to be." He flashed a grin. When Wanda looked up toward the sky, Eddie straightened back from her a little, taking a very small sip of his own wine. It wasn't that he was opposed to drinking, but there could be some side effects with his medication if he wasn't careful.

"What second job did you have in mind?" Eddie asked, trying to keep the conversation going despite his hopes declining a little of getting much further than talking on this date. He expected she might be talking about the hero gig, but there was no harm in clarifying and it was always easier to let other people do as much of the talking as possible for as often as he liked to talk.

"I don't plan to. He's too much of a rigid extremist and I am not down with hurting people. I have to be flexible and take people as individuals, even if it is extra work and risk." The wine was good. She had to keep herself down to nursing it slowly, because she was a huge lightweight.

"The heroing business. I've done it some. The problem is that like I said, it does not pay." She felt a slight pang as he moved away, but chipping through the wall of her shyness would take time. It frustrated her, but she was glad as hell that he seemed to respect that.

"Well, you have to hurt some people. It's a good goal not to hurt everyone, of course, but make sure you're keeping things realistic too. It's only a matter of time until you're put into a situation where you're forced to choose and each options hurts people. Unless you're talking about physically hurting people. That's probably more rare-- Although, if you're going into the super hero business then you may have to get used to that too since you'll probably have to help apprehend criminals or villains or whatever it is they're called in the real world where super hero vigilantes exist."

It's practically a ramble, the stream of consciousness pouring out of Eddie as he thought of it. Then he set his wine glass down near the bottle--ensuring it was steady without taking noticeable time of effort to do so--and sat up, pulling his knees up just to form a different posture and keep from getting stiff.

He made a mental note to get regular access to the pool to build his muscles' endurance.

"What are you hoping to find here, besides control over your powers? There must be something else."

"Well, then I can only do my best." She lapsed into thought for a few moments, covering with a sip of her wine. "I'm not a complete pacifist, not by a long shot. Sometimes magic is not going to be enough to subdue someone and I'll have to learn to actually kick some ass."

She tilted her head.

"How to live among different races. How to choose my own path without falling back on what Father wants for me. How to not be the bad guy, I guess, since I have plenty of practice in that. I also have to catch up on my schooling. I..."

She trailed off. Why hadn't she finished high school? Why hadn't she gone to high school period? It was like a blank spot in her head, and her expression grew troubled as she explored it.

"Different races?" He asked as soon as she had finished speaking, caught up on that little detail. Did those with abilities really see themselves as a different race? Eddie saw himself as better than everyone else when he was on NZT, sure, because he really was, but that didn't make him any more or less human. Just.. better at winning.

Then he forced himself to review the rest of what she had said in order to comment on the idea as a whole. His lips tightened a little as he saw the very subtle shift in her expression and remembered that she had trailed off.

"You...?" He encouraged her to finish the thought.

"In my world we've got humans, and two sort of offshoot races--mutants and neogens. We have vampires, we have insular groups with different magical traditions, we have aliens...most of these beings exist in secret, but when you're a mutant you run into all the weirdness eventually." She drained the last of her wine.

"Mutants and humans are the only ones "out" and they don't get along on a political level. Personal, sure, but there's anti-mutant legislation being pushed in Congress, we were kicked out of school--stuff like that."

No, the X-teens were kicked out. I wasn't there to begin with. But why?

"I was...digging for the reason I didn't finish high school, and I couldn't find it. I probably am just being absentminded but that seems kind of..." Kind of important to forget. "What the hell?"

"Vampires and aliens, huh?" Well, Wanda just went from a little weird to full fledged alternate universe in Eddie's mind, but he showed no change in attitude or perception. Eddie was used to charming people and he wouldn't appear repulsed just because she came from a completely different world and knew a different way of doing things. All it really meant was that he needed to study more about politics of different places and systems.

"Maybe it was a lot of reasons," he offered. The idea of amnesia or people with abilities to mess with the mind didn't even cross his mind. "Or maybe it just happened and you had more important things to worry about."

She looks a little contrite. "Yeah, my world is full of weird crap. In fact if you need an explanation for some of the beings or ideas floating around here that are unfamiliar I might be able to help. Or at least know who to ask."

She frowns thoughtfully. "It just startled me. Yes, I die of boredom in a standard academic setting, but I never realized how much. It's weird though. Left on my own or one on one, I love to learn."

"Thanks." He offers a charming grin. "I might take you up on that in future."

Eddie lifts a hand to rest gently on her shoulder, trying to show some level of reassurance while simultaneously breaking the physical contact barrier. "Most smart people in the world are the same way. They like to learn what they like to learn and in their own way. There's nothing wrong with that. It's better, actually, when you get to university. Don't worry about it."

"Hey, twist my arm to get me to talk to you again." She winks.

Her hand comes up and the fingertips brush lightly over the back of his palm from wrist to knuckles. It's tremulous and shy, but it's reciprocation of a sort.

"Math. I am going to need craptons of it. But I'll sweeten it with some more creative stuff. Anthropology minor, I think. Study of humans. Maybe a few languages besides Transian and English."

○ 04: Maybe they once locked eyes.

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[Spam] Sorry for the recent hit-and-miss.

[Spam] No problem. :)

[Spam] Getting back into the swing of things now! For real!

[Spam] WB! Worth the wait. :)

[Spam] Awww. You. <3

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Are you cool to assume from there? :]

Y/Y!